I did a lot of thinking about this subject, the greatest gift I ever recieved.And I think the greatest gift I ever got was something that was taken away.
As a troubled teen, I was bored with the usual high school stuff, and loned to be done with it all. I didnt want to study, I just wanted to get away, and start living my own life, by my own rules. Subsequently, my mother was called into the principles office one last time. The principle told my mother that he was taired of trying to make me come to class, do my homework and other such things. He told me and my mom that I would never make anything of myself, and he wanted me out of his school immediately. I couldn't believe i was being kicked out of school! I used to be a straight A student.
Years later, I finally got a GED and entered college. I never forgot what that principle said that day, and his words became a vendetta to succeed at college, no matter how frustrating it was at times
A few days before I was to graduate from college, I learned that the principle's wife was very ill. He was constantly at her side during her illness. I did not expect him to come to my graduation, even though I mailed him an invitation. I was disappointed that I could not rub his face in my success, but understood his reasons wholeheartedly.
The day finally came when I was to graduate. I was excited and nervous and all those feelings you have. I walked down the isle, and happened to look out into the crowd. The eyes that caught my eyes were the eyes of my former high school principle. He had come to see me graduate!
After the ceremony was over, I searched for him. I gave him a big hug, and thanked him for being the reason I had to prove him wrong about me. He just smiled, and told me he knew I could do it.
I can never repay him for the tough love he showed me that day that he kicked me out of school. Kestral